Telecommunications market of PortugalPhone Cards, Calling Cards |
| Portugal’s Internet penetration in early 2006 is high even by European standards. Broadband take-up is also considerably above the European Union (EU) average, thanks to a capable and robust regulator. Both cable and DSL are well represented, though the growth in DSL has comfortably outstripped cable since 2005. The incumbent, Portugal Telecom, and its subsidiaries control most of the DSL market, but new regulatory provisions in mid-2005 have granted easier and cheaper access for alternative ISPs. Portugal Telecom has reclassified its broadband offers, with the focus on increasing speed, while the regulator has encouraged wholesale access at bandwidths capable of delivering IPTV. This Paul Budde report profiles Portugal’s fixed and wireless broadband markets in 2005 and early 2006, providing key statistics on the retail and wholesale sectors, as well development in wireless broadband. |
| Portugal has a mid-sized but advanced mobile market. Mobile penetration was above the European Union (EU) average in 2005, while the yearly growth rate was modest. There is a clear triopoly of providers – TMN, Telecel and Optimus – each of which also won 3G / UMTS licences. There were three 3G networks operating by mid-2004. In August 2005 the regulator began to examine the effectiveness of competition provided by MVNOs. This report profiles Portugal’s mobile market in 2005 and early 2006, providing statistics on the main operators, and including a review of the key regulatory issues, a snapshot of the consumer market, and the growth of mobile data services such as SMS, Push-to-Talk (PTT) and Mobile TV. |
| Portugal Phone Cards |